A64822:39
The new command renewed, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…The new command renew'd, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…
The new command renewed, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, by several uniting principles, among which there are ten rules for a right understanding of scripture, very useful for these divided times / by Ralph Venning.The new command renew'd, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, by several uniting principles, among which there are ten rules for a right understanding of scripture, very useful for these divided times / by Ralph Venning.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1652
THE NEW COMMAND RENEWED: OR, Love one another. › Part 1 › Principle 1: The first Principle.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If mens arguments be pure and good, they will not be the worse, but the more confirmed by being weighed; if they be found either base metal, or counterfeit, the discovery will engage them to part with them, and to take their part no longer, lest they deceive their soul: in short, if they be good, they may do good, they may help others to see the light; if bad, 'twill be a mercy they were produced; for you are losers while you follow darkness and lying vanities.
If mens arguments be pure and good, they will not be the worse, but the more confirmed by being weigh'd; if they be found either base metal, or counterfeit, the discovery will ingage them to part with them, and to take their part no longer, lest they deceive their soul: in short, if they be good, they may do good, they may help others to see the light; if bad, 'twill be a mercy they were produced; for you are losers while you follow darknesse and lying vanities.
2. 1The second hindrance to a meeting about agreement is Pride of heart; Men are loth to be the first movers, lest they should be thought timorous and willing to yield; but beloved Christians, Christ Jesus did not so; God and we had never met nor had been reconciled together, had not God come to us first. Though God were offended by us, and had thence just reason to be for ever offended with us, yet he sounds a truce, and makes the first tender of agreement; shall we not walk as we have him for an example?
2. 1The second hindrance to a meeting about agreement is Pride of heart; Men are loth to be the first movers, lest they should be thought timerous and willing to yeeld; but beloved Christians, Christ Jesus did not so; God and we had never met nor had been reconciled together, had not God come to us first. Though God were offended by us, and had thence just reason to be for ever offended with us, yet he sounds a truce, and makes the first tender of agreement; shall we not walk as we have him for an example?